The next school day Akio and his home room class would be in their fifth period, where they'd be learning the basics of English starting with just vowels. The teacher wrote the letters "A-E-I-O-U" and equated them to hiragana to help better understand the language. It was jarring at first to get the hang of the lettering, the letter E sounding like the letter I and not the other way around did trip Akio up. Writing the letters themselves however was much easier, as they required less strokes than hiragana and katakana. After class he and Taira ascended the steps to the rooftop where they'd spend their lunch.

"The teachers from last year were really hyping up middle school, but I don't think it's that bad to be honest." Akio said, opening up his bento box. "They probably just wanted to scare us into becoming some hard-boiled academics."

"My brother says they told him the same thing about high school but he doesn't seem to be doing too bad." Taira replied, eating the lunch prepared for him by his parents.

"Your family's smart, you're not convincing me."

"My brother? We're almost like opposites, he likes to sit around all day and watch anime and play games!"

"Hah, your brother sounds cool. Maybe I could ask him to hang at some point."

"I'm not sure if he'd be okay with that, he doesn't even let me touch his stuff."

"Dang, 'least you can always game over at my place."

"Yeah... Also by the way, did you apologize to Satomi yet?"

"I'll get around to it, don't sweat it man. For stuff like this you just need to pace it well."

"Pace it well? What do you mean?"

Akio would explain himself, mouth half full of food, "You see, I believe it's important for me to apologize at the right time. If I apologize too quickly, it'll be as if I'm spineless and afraid of people disliking me. Though if I just casually do it on the sly, it'll show I'm not bothered or nervous at all."

"I don't know, but the way you're describing it sounds like it'd be disingenuous."

"Really? I guess if I just use the right words it'll come off as if I mean it."

" Do you mean it?"

"No, not really." His straightforward response made Taira sigh, he looked up at the sky as a plane passed by high above. Akio continued to eat, elaborating on his thought process "I understand if you wanna stay on her good side, but you know me. I'm not gonna bend over

backwards cause a girl got in my face you know? If I do it straight up it'd look disingenuous regardless, like our parents put us up to it or something, and that'd be even more embarrassing."

"I guess... You seem to care a lot about rep more than you ever have."

"Rep is important, if you're cool and stuff people will take you more seriously. Then in high school everyone's gonna be like 'Oh yeah there's that cool guy from middle school! Save him a spot at our table!' and all that."

Taira couldn't help but chuckle to himself, "Man, you're crazy."

"Not saying I know everything, but I know enough to survive in this daring new environment." The bell would ring, signifying the change in periods. "And with that, looks like we finally get to the interesting part of this lovely Tuesday. Let's not keep everyone waiting!"

The boys would arrive along with everyone else to the workshop, only to see that the Anchor had been relocated to the back of the room. Multiple desks would be lined up in the middle of the floor and they would see a much larger desk in front of the Anchor, Mr. Hayashi sitting on top of it. "Good afternoon class, glad to see you all made it back despite our brief meeting yesterday. Today is where our curriculum will kick off into high gear!"

"Hey, Mr. Hayashi, we not piloting today or...?" Akio said, pulling back one of the chairs in confusion.

"You'll get to take it for a spin, but first this class requires a bit of knowhow on the inner workings of labors as a whole. So why don't the lot of you take a seat and get comfortable? We'll make good use of the two hours granted to us." Following this everyone would take their seats on their own, Akio and Taira sitting next to each other though Satomi sitting as far away from Akio as she could. Mochizuki and Sakamoto sat near the middle, putting further distance between the two, finally everyone got ready to listen. Mr. Hayashi pulled out a white board with a diagram of a labor, taking out a pointer to direct their attention to certain parts of the board. "Today we'll start off pretty basic, talking about the structure of a labor. When considering the basic structure of a labor as a practical machine, the most basic module is the power system, which is responsible for supplying energy to the entire system. If compared to a real human organ, it would be like the heart and blood vessels. Like normal vehicles, labors were powered by a diesel or gasoline engine. Because of this it has the advantage of being easily refueled at gas stations. Therefore, diesel and gasoline engines still hold precedence to this day. However, unlike a normal vehicle where power basically only rotates the drive wheels linearly, a labor's limbs move in a complex three-dimensional manner, so the required output is discontinuous, making it difficult to lift heavy objects. Depending on the nature of the work, like crushing a rock for instance, an instantaneous large output of energy is required. In such cases, an automobile-type engine alone may be inefficient, so the second-generation of labors are equipped with a small, high-output gas turbine engine with a short start-up time, similar to those used in aircraft and tanks."

Sakamoto raised his hand, "Question!"

"Ask away!" Mr. Hayashi said, pointing to him.

"When it comes to labors they always talk about that one labor that could fly, the Griffon. You mentioned that second generation labors have gas turbine engines, does the Griffon use something similar to that?"

"Ahh, you see I shouldn't stray away from the course here, but the topic of the Griffon does make me a little giddy... Ah what the heck?" He rested his hands down on his desk, "I don't know too much about the Griffon's design itself, but I can make an assumption from what I already know about labors and the mechanical systems of other vehicles. The engine is a gas turbine type, so you'd be correct in assuming the Griffon shares that engine type. This would mean the gaseous fuel mixed with atmospheric air taken in from the front intake is compressed and burned in a combustor through rotating blades; which is then attached to a cylindrical shaft that runs through the center of the entire system. Since the shaft is coaxial and directly connected to the front compression device, it's possible to continuously rotate the turbine with an extremely simple structure. The gas turbine system forms the core of what we know as a 'jet engine,' which uses only the rotational force of the shaft to compress air. This also obtains propulsive force by ejecting the exhaust produced by the combustion of compressed gas rearward at high speeds. I could go on and on about the Griffon but given how different it is from the design philosophies of the average labor, it'd take all day. Anyways, good question!"

Satomi raised her hand, "Question Mr. Hayashi!"

"I'm all ears!"

"What's up with all the secrecy? Practically everyone knows about the Griffon yet why aren't we made aware of the inner workings of such an impressive labor? It's been almost twenty years now, and you're telling me not even you know what makes it tick?"

"I may have worked in Section Two before now, however I wasn't present to see the Griffon incidents take place. I do remember hearing of it detonating out in Harumi, that being the end of it."

"Surely they were at least able to collect it from the water? I know it exploded but it's not like they couldn't fill in the gaps of it's design from what they could find right?"

"This isn't a question I can easily answer, but if you want an honest answer I believe they probably did collect the remains of the Griffon. By that point everyone would have wanted a piece of the action it had from what they saw on TV, but maybe the government thought otherwise. Maybe they collected the remains of it and kept everything else about it secret from the public in some strange attempt at not letting anyone else make their own Griffon."

"But isn't that what a lot of companies have been trying to do since then?"

"Recreating such a labor one to one would be impossible, but many manufacturers have been trying to match that for years. Like I said before, the Griffon's design had to deviate a lot from the standard design of labors we know of. The government can probably rest easy

knowing that manufacturers like Hishii or Shinohara won't be able to wrap their heads around it for a while. Any more questions?"

"No sir." She responded.

"In that case!" He hit the board with his pointer, getting the attention of anyone who happened to be drifting off from his ramblings. "Back on the topic of labor engines, in these internal combustion engine-powered labors, the energy generated by the engine rotates a hydraulic pump, which circulates hydraulic oil through the drive system and sends mechanical energy to the moving parts of the body. This method using physical fluids has a limit to the precision of power control. Therefore, second-generation labors for special work that require precision work are equipped with electric manipulators or are replaceable. Before we move on with the lesson, lets get an assignment going. Trust me, it'll be fun!" He'd pull out sheets of paper from his desk and place them down individually on all of his student's desks. It looked like a simplified outline of a labor, with the inside being white. "The goal of this task is simple, I want all of you to draw the hydraulic pipes and actuators that go through the labor on your desk. This is mainly just for the arms and legs, so don't worry about the finer details. Use what you know and what I've told you to complete this little problem, and report back to me when you're done!"

"...Sounds simple enough." Taira said under his breath. He, Akio, and the other three would take a few minutes to draw out the hydraulics of the labors; though Sakamoto seemed to be frantically erasing and redrawing them each time. A little over five minutes would pass before they'd all be finished with their work. Taira would be the first to bring his paper over to Mr. Hayashi for him to look over, believing he did pretty well.

Mr. Hayashi looked up and down at the paper, "...Ah! Looks like you understood the assignment well! Good job Kobayashi!"

"Here you go Mr. Hayashi!" Satomi said, handing him the paper.

"Mmm, okay okay. So far so good! Alright, who's next?" He looked at the other students.

"I'm up! Check mine out!" Akio said, jumping from his seat.

"Good job Mr. Shinohara, looks like everyone understood the assignment pretty well!"

"I had to redo mine, but I think I did well." Mochizuki said, handing him the paper.

"You sure did! That just leaves you Sakamoto! Let's see what you've got so far."

"...I'm not sure if I want to show mine..." Sakamoto said, covering his paper.

"Come on! Don't be shy, I won't judge!" Mr. Hayashi walked over to Sakamoto, who covered his paper from being seen with his arms. "It's not like you're being graded, I just wanna see what you got little dude." In turn, Sakamoto would shyly uncover his paper, which Mr. Hayashi would pick up and view. "...Well, this sure is quite the hydraulic system you designed..."

Taira caught a glimpse of the paper as well, "Huh, a bipedal labor with sixteen actuators..."

"No way, Sakamoto designed a new Crabman variant!" Akio jokes.

"Points for creativity... Well, don't worry. You're here to learn anyway." Mr. Hayashi went on to teach the rest of the lesson. Eventually he would conclude the lesson and finally move on to the latter half of the class, having everyone move the desks out to the opposite sides of the room. "Okay, let's move our little class pet out to the field. Since you have an affinity for jumping into labors, why don't you do the honors Shinohara?"

"Will do!" Akio said, running over to the Anchor and hopping into the cockpit. He started up the labor's operating system, then pushed down the pedals to move it forward out of the workshop and onto the field. Everyone else would follow him out to the yard, and see that Ms. Soratani's group was already using the Anchor.

Mr. Hayashi spoke up, "Looks like she works quickly... Or maybe I spent too much time rambling...? It doesn't matter, hey Shinohara! Go ahead and hold down the button in the cockpit with the word 'MDC' over it!"

"Right!" Akio said, doing what he was instructed. The labor powered down as a cartridge would be ejected into Akio's hand while the canopy popped open as a result of being shut down. He exited the cockpit and linked back up with the group on the ground, Mr. Hayashi reaching into his back pocket and pulling a few things out.

"As you may know, a labor can only move if it has the data necessary. You're supposed to input a device into it to allow the storage of movement data, which is why we have these things called 'MDCs' or 'Movement Data Cartridges'" He held up a total of four cartridges small enough to fit in his hand, all while each was a different color from the last. "Alright kids, come on and pick your favorite color."

"Woah no way!"

"Awesome!"

"I call green!"

Taira, Sakamoto, and Mochizuki rushed in to get their own personal data cart, Satomi walking over and picking up a purple one after the commotion of the boys was away from Mr. Hayashi. "And by the way, Shinohara, the one you ejected is yours now! Make sure that all of you keep up with them, this is what'll allow the Anchor to fine tune itself to all of your own movements." He turned away from the students and toward the field, "Man would you look at that, I have a stack of lumber over there-!" He pointed at large bundles of lumber stacked in a pyramid shape a ways away from them, "And I really need someone to move them over there!" He then pointed at an empty platform in the opposite direction. "If only some strong capable student and their labor could help me out in this time of need!"

"I can do it Mr. Hayashi!" Sakamoto said.

"Why thank you Sakamoto! You truly are one of a kind! Go ahead and make your way up in the labor!" Mr. Hayashi pointed his thumb up at the anchor. Sakamoto would climb up to the cockpit and sit inside, inserting the MDC and starting up the labor. Mr. Hayashi had everyone get clear of the Anchor, standing closer to the entrance of the workshop as he gave input via a walkie talkie connected to the labor's radio. "Alright Sakamoto, you're gonna be using all the actuators for this task. Don't worry though, the Anchor doesn't have too many of them, so don't worry about anything too complex."

"Okay, whatever you say!" Sakamoto had the Anchor walk over to the bundles of lumber, picking them up and walking over to the platform and placing them down. The wood wasn't placed as neatly as they were on the first platform, but it was sufficient enough for Mr. Hayashi to consider the task complete. Sakamoto returned with the Anchor, "How did I do Mr. Hayashi?"

"You did fantastic! Come on and hop back down!" He said.

"Alright, sure thing!" Sakamoto enthusiastically dismounted from the labor.

Mr. Hayashi clasped his chin, "...You know, now that I think about it, I prefer if all the lumber was back on the other platform actually! I don't want to make Sakamoto undo all his hard work... Say, Mochizuki, why don't you try and give it a shot eh?"

"Uh, alright." Mochizuki replied, going over to load into the labor. The others watched on as he performed the menial task of transporting lumber, it wasn't exciting but it was somewhat of an entertaining sight. Taira would tug on Akio's sleeve, directing his attention to the group on the other side of the field. Ms. Soratani's group would be using their Anchor, though whoever was currently piloting it was surprisingly capable. It could dart from one point to the next, then stop only to turn on a dime. The pilot inside clearly had a head start on how to maneuver a labor, all while completing the lumber carrying task faster than Sakamoto or Mochizuki.

"Show off right?" Mr. Hayashi said looking with them as they'd meet eyes with Ms. Soratani, who cheerfully waved. "And I thought this whole thing wasn't going to be a competition."

"Yo, I'm done!" Mochizuki said from the canopy.

"Mr. Hayashi, let me give it a try." Akio said, running up to their teacher.

"Sure, go ahead!" He replied.

"Alright!" Akio ran over to the Anchor, taking Mochizuki's place and inserted his MDC into the slot. The labor would power on and he began to think to himself, "Just gotta focus... Just gotta... Be like a newtype like Amuro... Or would I be Kamille because of Mom and Dad...? No, that's not a great comparison... I know who I should be like..." He had the Anchor pace toward the lumber, "I'll be like Üso." He picked up the lumber and raced toward the other platform, the group able to feel the weight of the labor stomping as it moved between each of them.

"What's his deal? He's doing it like he's in a hurry." Satomi said.

Mochizuki would reply, "No idea, he probably just wants to prove something if I had to guess."

"To who? It's not like this is some kind of race. You're supposed to save on the power of the labor by avoiding all unnecessary movement. Forcing a labor to work this hard all for what?"

"It's probably just a guy thing."

"...If that's your interpretation then sure."

"And... Done!" Akio had completed the task swiftly, faster than Mochizuki and Sakamoto's time. His movements weren't as graceful as the mysterious pilot from the other group, but piloting ability would shine through in that moment.

"Great job once again Shinohara, though I think I changed my mind again-"

"I'm next." Satomi said, walking over to the labor.

Later that afternoon, everyone would be gearing up to go back home. The class would make it back to the lockers near the entrance of the school, gathering their things and changing out of their shoes.

"So, what are your thoughts on the first official day of school?" Akio asked Taira. "It was alright, I can tell English is gonna be kicking my butt though."

"Same here!" After he shut the door to his locker, he'd take notice to a student not too far from where he was standing. He then would realize that that was the very same pilot of the Anchor he saw, "Taira, ain't that the guy?"

"Looks like it..."

"I'm gonna go talk to him!" Akio said, approaching the kid in Ms. Soratani's group, holding his hand out. "Hey, you're that guy in labor class right?" The student would give Akio a concerned look that'd slightly put him off. "...Well, I thought you were pretty cool out there! I didn't know that there'd be anyone as good as me at this age out there, haha!"

"..." The student stood up, just looking at Akio without saying anything.

"...I don't believe I caught your name...?" Akio said nervously. The student would raise up his hand, nudging Akio's hand away from him before turning away and leaving. "...Did he not want to be friends?" Akio thought out loud.

"I know that kid." Mochizuki said, approaching Akio and Taira from behind. "He's Shoji Kawamura, and his old folks have connections to Schaft Enterprises."

The news took Akio aback, "You mean Schaft as in the multinational corporation?!"

"Yep, and it's weird since I remember him being a lot more talkative."

"You went to school with him or something?"

"Yeah, I guess he just doesn't like meeting new people now, or maybe he doesn't like you. Could be either or."

"I never even met him before now, what gives?"

"I dunno, that's just my best guess."

"Ah who cares, I'll go on ahead home to Taira. Catcha later." Akio said, heading for the front doors of the school.

"Uh, see you Akio! Oh—and don't forget to apologize!"

Akio would twist the knob of the front door to his home, "Mom! I'm home!" He said, kicking off his shoes before entering the house. As he walked inside, he'd be greeted by a man who bared a strong resemblance to him.

"Hey, Akio, your mother and I need to talk to you about something." He said.

"Dad...? You're home early..." Akio said.

"Follow me, let's not keep your mom waiting." He'd have Akio follow him to the living room where his mother would be sitting, he himself would sit down next to her and have Akio sit across from them.

"I'm not in trouble am I?" Akio said.

"I wouldn't say that, we're just trying to keep you out of trouble." His father said.

"Last night we got a call from Mr. Shinshi, he said that his daughter claimed you both almost got into a fight." His mother added.

Akio leaned forward, "You mean Satomi!?"

"You didn't try and get into it with her did you?" His father would respond.

"No way! I said I never fight girls!" Akio said quickly.

"Well, it was mentioned that this was provoked, saying how you—you equated her to a Frogman." His father did his best to maintain a neutral expression, though he'd be chastised by his wife for faltering.

Asuma!"

"I'm not laughing." He said, looking away in an attempt to hid his slight smirk from her. "You shouldn't make fun of people or call them names, it's immature. We're good friends with their family, so I'd be in our best interest to keep everything civil. We've decided we'll have them over tonight and have you two formally apologize, that sound good?"

Akio slumped in his seat, "...Fine."